We recently connected with Kristen Campbell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristen , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Being raised in a very creative family, where paintings, sculptures, and textiles from various cultures adorned the walls of family members or were created by a family member. Everyone, including my father, had beautiful handwriting; therefore, I have always had a fondness for working with my hands and admiring all forms of art. The expectation within my maternal side of the family was to always approach work with integrity, and when applicable, beauty and organization. Balanced aesthetics in all parts of your life was a priority and a lesson that I learned at a very early age.
One person in particular within my family who truly made an impression on me, creatively, was my Aunt Jeannie. My aunt was a phenomenal elementary school art educator who exposed me to several African American artists, as well as visual artists and techniques from around the world. She had a passion for teaching art and history and was vigilant in making sure that every student was exposed to new ways of thinking creatively and believed that their best was more than enough. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I would eventually follow her footsteps and become an art teacher. My aunt would employ me to help with any signage needed for her classroom or end-of-the-year art shows, since she felt my drawing and painting skills were strong. This experience led me to a deeper understanding of the work required in teaching at the elementary level and the joy that came with lifting the work of young students in such a beautiful way. Working to assist her with her school presentations, while occasionally visiting her classroom, left a valuable impression of who my aunt was and how teaching art was more than creating beautiful works of art. My aunt instilled pride, self-esteem, motivation, creative problem-solving, and discipline in her students, all while assuring them that she would be there as a guide and their biggest cheerleader. Much later in life, my witnessing this very loving and respectful relationship that my aunt shared with her students would come in handy, as I considered teaching as a career for myself.
But before I became an arts educator, I followed my parents’ footsteps and attended Hampton University. Ironically, I was coaxed into pursuing a degree in business with aspirations of opening an art gallery. Discovering a field where I would spend my life being a creative was always my personal goal, but how to get there took on several iterations. After failing several business classes, I convinced my mother that I should pursue graphic design as a major, where I could gain invaluable computer skills and increase my chances for job employment, all while still being involved with visual art. This was the beginning of me taking ownership of my life and becoming more invested in the idea of my truly being a creative. I was finally and officially in the Art Department at Hampton and worked towards a degree in graphic design while taking as many studio classes as allowed.
My desire to consistently include elements of fine art was always present in my work, even as a graphic designer. In retrospect, with the creation of my senior thesis show, although it involved creating digital book cover designs, the artwork included on the covers was collage work and paintings. Studio work remained a personal passion that eventually became my life.
After graduating from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design, a year later I decided to take a bigger step towards becoming a fine artist by applying to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Again, thinking more pragmatically, I applied to the Communications Design department to become a professional designer and increase my chances of not becoming a “starving artist”, but after experiencing one painting class that I managed to fit into my design schedule and being told by the instructor that I should pursue fine arts, I broke the news to my mother that I was officially going to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting. Finally, I was walking in MY purpose and taking the leap of faith that I would succeed as a studio artist.
With all the determination to claim my identity as a studio artist, I have to say that I am extremely grateful that I listened to the words of my mother, telling me that whichever path I choose, I have to be capable of taking care of myself financially. Those words forced me to think more creatively and less emotionally about my career choices. Had I not chosen to study graphic design at Hampton and a year at Pratt, I would not have garnered the computer skills needed to make myself marketable as a graphic designer with two prominent publishing houses in New York City. Moving forward to my graduation from Pratt, although I obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting, I quickly secured a junior graphic design job soon afterwards. Another full circle moment, thinking about how my thesis show at Hampton University focused on book cover designs. This, too, was seemingly part of my purpose due to my love for books and visual art.
Fast forward, after five years in the publishing industry and realizing that my yearning for more autonomy as an artist was becoming more important and that corporate influence over my work was exhausting, I returned home to become a part-time educator. But did I have enough knowledge under my belt to teach children? There was a lot that I felt I needed to experience and learn before I could translate that knowledge to anyone else. But then, my aunt, as well as fellow creative peers, assured me that I could do it and that she would be there to help guide my teaching. Essentially, she became my teaching mentor.
Before I left New York, I spent time delving deeper into my spirituality from an ancient Egyptian, or Kemetic, perspective. It was my former Art Director, Kristine Mills-Noble, who introduced me to Queen Afua and her book, “Sacred Woman”. Learning to honor my mind, body, and spirit through ancient methods like spiritual baths, prayer, ancestral veneration, cleansing my body temple, speaking with love, and acknowledging the life and beauty in all living things were elements of her program that made for an extremely transformational experience and one that has influenced my life to this day. It was during this time of cleansing and healing that I fully realized that my life journey would be one guided by the highest principles of the Creator from an African perspective and that my sacred purpose, or “sekhmet” was to use Art as a modality to elevate the consciousness of others, to make space for spiritual healing, in academic settings and within my personal art practice. The cleansing of my temple provided clarity, inspiration, and messaging from my ancestors and the Creator that I was here on this earthly plane to not only create for the sake of my own healing, but to extend that energy to others, especially children. From here, I became more courageous about teaching and knew I had something special to offer my students, as well as others who were interested in having my personal work in their homes.
In 2005, I returned home to Washington, DC and began teaching art at a local elementary school. This was the beginning of what has become an 18-year career in education, and I still love it! My students and administration applaud me for being approachable, gentle in my instruction and management of classroom behavior, and creating an environment that promotes a growth mindset, empathy for others, and a sense of knowing that one is capable of tapping into their best, highest selves. The classroom setting is surrounded by energetic colors, accompanied by high-vibrational music and infused aromatherapy due to the healing properties contained in these modalities and their ability to enhance the learning experience. In 2012, I was chosen as a Champion of Change by the Obama administration for my project, “Color Is Life” which was launched at a former school, Savoy Elementary School in southeast D.C. This initiative used the transformational power of color and collaboration to bring life into a school to increase academic learning, engagement, and an overall sense of comfort and security for the students and faculty.
This level of acknowledgment by all who have surrounded me or witnessed my educational efforts has consistently assured me that I am walking in my purpose, my “sehkemet”, with my career as a visual art educator. Creating spaces where the inner light of my students can flourish and grow at their own paces, along with producing personal studio work that reflects these same sentiments and allows me the freedom to honor my sacred connection with the natural world, is all that is needed for me to know that I have found my purpose in life. Both areas of work are considering how to best create “space” for personal reflection, creative thought, and elevation of the mind and senses on a higher, more conscious level.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a visual arts educator and Black woman, my focus has primarily been on the history and brilliance of African/American visual artists. Having attended an HBCU, Hampton University, and being a student of master artist James Phillips, a member of AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists), I was afforded a very rich education on the artistic contributions of Black artists, past and present. Because we are so underrepresented in museums around the world, I feel it is my duty to bring an awareness and understanding of this artistic genius to my students, whether they be African-American or not. This information is such a valuable part of American history, particularly for my Black students. Knowing that their community consists of individuals who fought for their right to be recognized in the creative world, a sense of pride, and hopefully an understanding that we as a community are extremely multifaceted and can pursue and achieve excellence in any area of our choosing has been my mission.
With regards to my personal art, I share my work with my students in order to provide a broader perspective on what an individual can accomplish creatively and that we are not singular beings. One can find and apply more than one passion in their lives and experience cohesion with several areas of study. I am an artist and an educator, equally committed to both practices and working towards realizing how each one feeds the other. Sharing my work with my students allows time to speak and connect with them from a heart space where I am demonstrating vulnerability, passion, deep concern, and determination, qualities that I hope translate to my students and further develop their levels of empathy, discipline, confidence, and integrity. In the teaching space, my students are encouraged to be free and fearless in the perspectives and execution of ideas. Oftentimes, I am learning new ways of thinking from them or reminded to remain playful and not always so serious. Through exploration of ideas and materials, and permission to be free in your thinking, comes innovative and personal ideas.
Currently, I am extremely honored to be involved in a phenomenal group exhibition at the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba, located in New York City. The show runs from July 16-August 23, 2025.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
During my second and third years at Pratt Institute, I had the pleasure of being under the tutelage of artist Linda Francis. It was during my thesis critiques with her that she explained the most profound and long-standing perspective for me as an artist and as a person: “Keep it (the work) personal; F*ck everybody else!”
These simple yet poignant words are what I have used to help push me further in my work. I took them to mean have knowledge of self and enough faith enough to know that you are where you supposed to be, in life and in the development of yourself. This is the first bit of advice I would give to someone beginning this journey of self discovery. Your experience is yours alone, and no one can live and get better at it than YOU! Stay the course, be consistent in this journey, and know that you will become exactly who you are supposed to be in divine time.
Secondly, value your community and listen out for the wisdom. This may come from elders, contemporaries, or even children. Friends and family members who wholeheartedly support your growth and are honest when they observe a need for growth on your part are your tribe! Nurture and express gratitude for these relationships; you will need them and they will need you as well. Take what your intuition/heart space is telling you is needed, and do your best to apply it to your life where needed. Additionally, practice discernment of how your body responds to certain human energies. Every relationship is not for you and that is perfectly okay. Take the lessons, regardless of the duration of the relationships. Be at peace knowing you have so much to offer the world, and operate at the highest level that you understand at any given time.
Lastly, I would say making the decision to live freely and fearlessly has been the most recent skillset that I am developing and enjoying the process of manifesting in my life. I am inspired by the hardworking ethics of my parents, who demonstrated fearlessness in life, whether through pursuing higher education, long-standing careers, and inhabiting social spaces with overall authenticity and life-giving energy. My father used to say, “We don’t use the word ‘can’t!” My mother would urge me to problem solve and figure it out, tap into your resources, and if you want something badly enough, make it happen. And I would add – mistakes are meant to be learned from, not to place the burden of judgment upon yourself. Learn and keep it moving! I often tell my students, “Wow, you didn’t know a second ago, but now, you know! I’m so happy for you!” Now, let’s get to work!
Taking the time to be with yourself and really enjoy who you are becoming is one way to practice self-love. Be sure to surround yourself with like-minded folks who enjoy who you are unconditionally, even when you get on their nerves. These people are your tribe and the ones who are rooting for you and want to see you win. They should match your energy and be the ones to encourage you to do all of the things in life, even when you’re scared.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
The question of how I would live out the rest of my life if I only had ten years to live really resonated with me. I decided earlier last year that I would dedicate the next ten years of my life to further developing and exposing my artwork to the public. Honestly, I would still be an educator in some capacity, possibly not on a full-time basis. I am an educator by nature, having several educators in my family, including my grandmother who taught nursing. However, the majority of my time would be spent creating multimedia works of art, without the worry of time, energy, and monetary resources. More time would be spent fellowshipping with fellow creatives and travelling to various countries for cultural and environmental inspiration. My work deals with the connection to nature, so travelling to areas like Brazil and Thailand where the landscapes celebrate culture, spirituality, and the ancient wonders of nature. I would live to create and share these creations with whoever is willing to highlight the work around the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.khayesart.com
- Instagram: #krishayesart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyTAys1lbJQ&t=33s
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
